Houston City Council on Feb. 11 approved submitting an application to the Texas Department of Transportation for grant assistance for a program that would help reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on public roadways.

The grant would provide financial assistance for the Houston Public Works Department to complete 13 road improvement projects.

What this means: Projects would total $10.6 million, with the city applying for $9.6 million from TxDOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program, a federally funded program that covers 90% of project costs. The remaining 10%, or $1.06 million, must be covered by state or local government.

Mayor Pro Tem Martha Casex Tatum said several members of the council have been concerned about safety, especially with one location at Fondren Road and South Braeswood Boulevard, which has been designated as one of the most dangerous roadway crossings. 

A representative with Momentum Climbing Gym confirmed Feb. 10 that a new location is heading for the Houston Heights this fall.

What we know: Marketing director Anthony Hedberg said that while an opening timeline is still dependent on permits and inspections, the new gym is slated to open around early fall of this year. The new climbing gym will be the "largest project to date," he said.

The facility caps out at 52,000 square feet. The space will feature extensive rope climbing, including lead, top-rope and auto-belay zones, along with a large bouldering area and dedicated youth climbing spaces.

More details: Beyond climbing, the gym will include a full-service fitness area with free weights and cardio equipment, a dedicated yoga studio with daily classes, an infrared sauna and a specialized training zone.

As of Feb. 11, Hedberg said that a specific address cannot be shared while it functions as an active construction zone. However, it will be set somewhere north of I-10 in the Houston Heights community.

• Address TBD

An airline at George Bush Intercontinental Airport will premiere two new nonstop routes to Mexico beginning June 1.

What’s new: Volaris—which opened at IAH in 2015—will launch flight routes from Houston to Querétaro, Mexico, and Puebla, Mexico. Flights will be offered three times per week, and tickets became available for purchase Feb. 3.

Notable quote: “Houston is a key market for the airline, and these connections to Querétaro and Puebla strengthen a network designed to serve the needs of our binational communities,” Volaris Executive Vice President Holger Blankenstein said.

Some context: Volaris also offers flights from Houston to:

• Guadalajara, Mexico
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Morelia, Mexico
• San Luis Potosí, Mexico
• San Salvador, El Salvador

• More buyers are active in the area.
• More homes are available and are selling.
• The neighborhood is drawing renewed interest.

Texans will see candidates for 18 statewide positions on the March primary ballot, including one state railroad commissioner, the state land commissioner and the state agriculture commissioner.

The overview: Despite its name, the Railroad Commission of Texas does not govern the state’s railroads. So what do railroad commissioners and the leaders of other Texas agencies do?

Community Impact compiled information about various state agencies to help inform Texans before they head to the polls for the March primary elections.

At the polls: Early voting runs from Feb. 17-27, and primary election day is March 3.

Community Impact is now covering BCS, from growth and schools to business and city happenings. 

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